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QNB Financial Services reported that total banking assets reached QR2.206 trillion at the end of April, a 2.5 percent increase from the close of 2025. The sector’s loan book remained flat from the previous month but stood 1.8 percent higher than year-end levels. Deposits rose 1.7 percent in April and 5.3 percent since December 2025, contributing to improved liquidity measures.
The monthly update from QNB Financial Services showed that public sector deposits expanded 3.1 percent from March and 5 percent from the end of the prior year. Government deposits, accounting for 31 percent of the public sector total, advanced 4 percent month-on-month although they declined 1.6 percent compared with year-end 2025. Government institutions, representing 54 percent, grew 2.1 percent in the month and 7.6 percent since December while semi-government entities that comprised 15 percent rose 4.8 percent monthly and 10.4 percent from year-end.
Figures from the QNBFS report indicated non-resident deposits increased 1.3 percent month-on-month and 6.8 percent since the end of 2025, lifting their share of overall deposits to 19 percent. Private sector deposits gained 0.8 percent in April and 5 percent from year-end levels. Consumer deposits climbed 2.9 percent monthly and 5.1 percent since December while deposits from companies and institutions fell 1.9 percent from March but were still 4.8 percent higher than at the close of 2025.
On the asset side, the QNB Financial Services assessment found that public sector loans contracted 2.7 percent month-on-month and 6.5 percent from year-end 2025, with government loans easing 0.7 percent in April despite a 14.2 percent rise over the comparative period. Semi-government loans edged 0.8 percent higher monthly and 11.3 percent since December while institutions saw a 4.7 percent monthly decline. Private sector lending held steady from March with a 0.9 percent gain from year-end, driven by a 2.7 percent rise in real estate loans that offset a 1.3 percent drop in personal lending, and loans extended outside Qatar jumped 7.9 percent in the month along with 49.2 percent since the end of 2025.
Liquid assets stood at 31 percent of total assets in April, unchanged from the January-to-March period, according to the data. Loan provisions equaled 4.1 percent of gross loans, flat from March and up slightly from 4 percent at year-end 2025, with loan loss provisions stable monthly but 4.6 percent higher than December. Stage three loans remained stable and banks continued to hold buffers for stages one and two.
S&P Global Ratings projected in a January 2026 analysis that Qatar’s banking sector would remain resilient through the year, backed by strong capitalization, liquidity and government support. Qatar Central Bank data later showed assets climbing to QR2.2 trillion by May 2026, reflecting 6 percent annual growth. The sector has maintained steady expansion in recent years while keeping key ratios well within regulatory limits set by the central bank.
